Attachment for a cast cutter



Nov. 21, 1967 T. c. GOYOLSBY 3,353,266

ATTACHMENT FOR A CAST CUTTER FiledJan, 19, 1966' INVENTOR. TESL/E C. GOQLSBY BY m ww United States Patent 3,353,266 ATTACHMENT FOR A CAST CUTTER Teslie C. Goolshy, Rte. 1, Myrtle, Miss. 38650; Bertha Goolsby, executrix of said Teslie C. Goolsby, deceased Filed Jan. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 521,739 6 Claims. (Cl. 30-167) ABSTRACT 6F THE DISQLQSURE An attachment device adapted to be removably attached to a typical prior art cast cutterthe cutter having electrically driven vibrating circular saw means and being adapted to be hand-manipulated for cutting, severing, and removing the cast from a patient. The attachment device of the invention including seating means for quickly and easily removing or attaching the device to the cast cutter and including a scissor-like paired member arrangement for pivotally and adjustably regulating the depth of cut of the cast cutter saw.

This invention relates to an attachment adapted to be used with a cast cutter or chipper of the vibrating type to prevent injury to the patient during the cutting of a cast therefrom.

Cast cutters of the above-mentioned type are commonly used by doctors to remove a cast from a patient. Such cast cutters typically include a circular cutter disc that has teeth around the periphery thereof and which is vibrated by suitable means. Heretofore, the cast cutters of the above-mentioned type were simply held by the user with the cutter disc being moved along the cast which caused the cast to be severed along the line of movement. In using the cast cutter in the heretofore-mentioned manner, there has been the problem of obtaining a out completely through the cast wall without injuring or cutting the patient. When the vibrating cutter disc touches the skin, it is painful to the patient and results in either a cutting of the skin or a sensation as if the skin were being burned. This problem can be appreciated when it is realized how close the cast is to the skin and how a particular cast will vary in thickness throughout the length thereof. In addition, there is the problem of the cloth or gauze in the cast not being completely out by the cutter disc. These problems have heretofore resulted in the cast removal being a tedious, time-consuming and usually a painful procedure.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming the above and other mentioned problems in removing casts.

Thus, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an attachment for a cast cutter-of the heretoforementioned type which eliminates the cutting or burning of the patient by the cutter disc.

A further object is to provide such an attachment that is highly effective and which makes the task of removing casts easy and quick.

A further object is to provide such a cast cutter attachment in which means is provided for cutting the cloth or gauze as the plaster of Paris of the cast is being cut or chipped.

A further object is to provide such a cast cutter attachment in which the parts thereof can be selectively positioned to control the depth of cutting of the cast and to accommodate different sizes of cast cutters.

A further object is to provide such a cast cutter attachment which is arranged so that the user may grasp the attachment with one hand and the cast cutter with another and move the two along together in cutting the cast. A further object is to provide in such a cast cutter attachment means for insuring that the cutter disc will cut completely through the cast wall regardless of the thickness of the cast.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention shown in conjunction with a cast cutter and illustrating the manner of use thereof to cut a cast.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of the present invention shown in use with the cast cutter.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line III-III of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken as on the line IVIV of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sensational view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIVI of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by reference characters, the attachment device 11 of the present invention is shown in the drawings in conjunction with a typical cast cutter 13 of usual construction which includes a substantially circular cutter disc 15 having teeth 17 around the periphery thereof. Cast cutter 13 additionally includes a substantially cylindrical body portion 19 having suitable vibrating means (not shown) therein which has electrical wires 21 leading from a suitable source of electricity to the electrically actuated vibrating means. The vibrating motion is transmitted to cutter disc 15 by any suitbale means as the usual shaft 23 upon which cutter disc 15 is mounted. Adjacent cutter disc 15 and between body portion 19 and the cutter disc is provided the usual neck portion 25 of the cast cutter which may be in the form of a sleeve-like extension of the body portion 19, as best seen in FIG. 3 or can be simply the shaft itself without any covering sleeve. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to use with the particular cast cutter 13 shown in the drawings, but the cast cutter may have other details of construction well-known to those skilled in the art since the cast cutter itself forms no part of the present invention.

The attachment device 11 of the present invention comprises in general an elongated foot member 27 and supporting means 29 attached to foot member 27 for supporting cast cutter 13 in a manner later to be described.

Referring now in more detail to the individual parts of attachment device 11, foot member 27 is preferably rounded as at 31 at the forward end thereof and is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 33 in the upper surface 35 thereof. Foot member 27 is preferably straight and narrow, and preferably provided with a flat lower surface 37.

Supporting means 29 preferably comprises a first member 39 that is fixedly attached adjacent the lower end 41 thereof to the upper surface 35 of foot member 27 adjacent the rearward end thereof, as best seen in FIG. 1. From its attachment with foot member 27, first member 39 angles upwardly and rearwardly to its termination in upper end 43. A handle 45, which preferably extends parallel to foot member 27, is fixedly attached to first member 39 adjacent the upper end 43 thereof by suitable means as an angle member 47 imbedded centrally in handle 45 and fixedly attached to first member 39 as by welding or the like. The forward edge 49 of first member 39 is provided with a slot 51 that extends from foot member 27 upwardly for a major portion of the length of first member 39. A cutting blade 53 is received in slot 51 and held therein by suitable means as the pins 55. If desired, cutting blade 53 may be removable for the changing of the blades, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Cutting blade 53 is provided with a sharpened leading edge 57 that extends from adjacent foot member 27 upwardly and at an angle for a major portion of the length of first member 39.

Supporting means 29 additionally includes a second member 59 which is preferably adjust-ably and pivotally attached to first member 39 adjacent the upper end thereof by suitable means as follows: A transverse pin 61, having enlarged heads 63 at opposite ends thereof extends through aligned'apertures in first and second members 39, 59 to pivotally attach the second member relative tothe first member for pivot about a transverse axis. Suitable means is provided for holding second member 59 in a selected fixed position relative to first member 39 and preferably includes a screw 65 extending through an arcuate slot 67 in second member 59 and an aperture 68 in first member 39 with a wing nut 69 being threadedly engaged on screw 65.

Adjacent the forward or distal end of second member 59 is provided seating means 71 for the neck 25 of cast cutter 13. Seating means 71 is preferably hook-shaped and formed by doubling the end of second member 59 back upon itself for a portion as at 73 to establish the rearwardly opening slot 75 that extends transversely of the device 11. Seating means 71 is positioned substantially above foot member 27 and in such a position that when the neck 25 is received in slot 75 in the manner best seen in FIGS. 1-4, cutter disc 15 is in vertical alignment with groove 33. The position of second member 59 is adjusted by means heretofore described including the wing nut 63 so that the lower edge of cutter disc 15 extends into groove 33 and below upper surface 35, but in spaced relationship to the foot member 27, as best seen in FIG. 3. This insures that the cast will be cut completely through.

In using the attachment device 11, it is placed in conjunction with the cast cutter 13 in the manner heretofore described and as best seen in FIGS. 1-4. The user then :grasps the handle 45 with his left hand and the body portion 19 with his right hand and while so grasping the parts, moves the foot member 27 between the cast and the patient. It will be understood that as the cast cutter 13 and the attachment 11 are moved forwardly together in the above-described manner, the cutter disc 15 will cut or sever the cast C along a line. This operation is shown in FIG. 1 wherein S represents the skin of the person, G represents the gauze or cloth in the cast C, and P represents the plaster of Paris of the cast. It will be understood that the gauze G which has not been severed by the cutter disc 15 will be urged against cutting blade 53 for the cutting thereof. In addition, it will be understood that foot member 27 acts as a base for cutter disc 15 to pulverize the plaster of Paris to leave the gauze G free for the cutting thereof by blade 53, as above described. If the plaster of Paris were not pulverized, there might be pieces of the plaster of Paris which would bind and clog the blade 53. It will be further understood that there is no way for the cutter disc 15 to contact the skin S since the foot member 27 is between the cutter disc and the skin.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that a very effective attachment is provided for a cast (cutter in which quick and easy cutting of the cast may be :accomplished without any danger of burning or cutting the patient. In addition, it will be understood that means :is provided for insuring that all of the gauze or cloth of the cast will be cut and for insuring that the plaster of Paris will be out completely through.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

Iclaim:

1. An attachment for a cast cutter of the type having a vibrating cutter disc mounted adjacent a reduced neck portion of the cast cutter, said attachment comprising an elongated horizontal foot member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said foot member being adapted to be inserted between the cast to be cut and the patients skin adjacent the cast to be cut with said upper surface adjacent the cast and said lower surface adjacent the skin, and supporting means attached to said elongated foot member for supporting said cast cutter with the lower edge of said cutter disc adjacent said foot member in position to cut the cast and with said foot member being between said cutter disc and the patients skin to prevent injury thereto by said cutter disc, said foot member being provided with a longitudinally extending groove in the upper surface thereof adapted to receive the lower edge of the cutter disc, said supporting means including a first member having an upper end and a lower end, and a second member, said first member being fixedly attached adjacent the lower end thereof to said foot member and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said second member including a substantially hook-shaped end portion providing a rcarwardly opening and transversely extending slot spaced above said foot member to receive and support the neck of the cast cutter with which used, a portion of said hook-shaped end portion extending substantially horizontally in a position to overlie the neck of the cast cutter with which used whereby upward movement of the cast cutter is effective to draw said attachment upwardly therewith, and means adjacent the opposite end of said second member from said hook-shaped end portion pivotally and adjustably attaching said second member to said first member for selectively varying the distance between said hook-shaped end portion and said foot member.

2. An attachment for a cast cutter of the type having a vibrating cutter disc mounted adjacent a reduced neck portion of the cast cutter, said attachment comprising an elongated horizontal foot member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said foot member being adapted to be inserted between the cast to be cut and the patients skin adjacent the cast to be cut with said upper surface adjacent the cast and said lower surface adjacent the skin, and supporting means attached to said elongated foot member for supporting said cast cutter with the lower edge of said cutter disc adjacent said foot member in position to cut the cast and with said foot member being between said cutter disc and the patients skin to prevent injury thereto by said cutter disc, said supporting means including a first member having an upper end and a lower end, and a second member, said first member being fixedly attached adjacent the lower end thereof to said foot member and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said second member including seating means for removably securing an end portion of said second member with the neck portion of said cast cutter, and means adjacent the opposite end of said second member from said seating means pivotally and adjustably securing said second member to said first member for selectively varying the distance between the lower edge of said cutter disc and said upper surface of said foot member.

3. An attachment for a cast cutter of the type having a vibrating cutter disc mounted adjacent a reduced neck portion of the cast cutter, said attachment comprising an elongated horizontal foot member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said foot member being adapted to be inserted between the cast to be cut and the patients skin adjacent the cast to be cut with said upper surface adjacent the cast and said lower surface adjacent the skin, and supporting means attached to said elongated foot member for supporting said cast cutter with the lower edge of said cutter disc adjacent said foot member in position to cut the cast and with said foot member being between said cutter disc and the patients skin by said cutter disc, said supporting means including a first member having an upper end and a lower end, and a second member, said first member being fixedly attached adjacent the lower end thereof to said foot member, said second member including a substantially hook-shaped end portion providing a rearwardly opening and transversely extending slot spaced above said foot member to receive and support the neck of the cast cutter with which used, a portion of said hook-shaped end portion extending substantially horizontally in a position to overlie the neck of the cast cutter with which used whereby upward movement of the cast cutter is effective to draw said attachment upwardly therewith, and means adjacent the opposite end of said second member from said hook-shaped end portion adjustably attaching said second member to said first member for selectively varying the distance between said hook-shaped end portion and said foot member.

4. The attachment of claim 1 which includes cutting blade means supported at an angle by said first member and substantially in alignment with said cutter disc for cutting the gauze and the like from a cast being cut.

5. The attachment of claim 1 which includes a handle attached to said first member for the user to grasp with one hand while grasping the cast cutter with the other hand to move said attachment and the cast cutter along together in the cutting of the cast.

6. An attachment for a cast cutter of the type having a vibrating cutter disc mounted adjacent a reduced neck portion of the cast cutter, said attachment comprising an elongated foot member having an upper surface and a lower surface, said foot member being adapted to be inserted between the cast to be cut and the patients skin adjacent the cast to be cut with said upper surface adjacent the cast and said lower surface adjacent the skin, said foot member being provided with a longitudinally extending groove in the upper surface thereof adapted to receive the lower edge of the cutter disc during cutting of a cast, supporting means attached to said elongated foot member for supporting said cast cutter with said lower edge of said cutter disc adjacent said foot member in position to cut the cast and with said foot member being between said cutter disc and the patients skin to prevent injury thereto by the cutter disc, said supporting means omprising a first member having an upper end and a lower end, and a second member, said first member being fixedly attached adjacent the lower end thereof to said foot member and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, said sec-0nd member including a substantially hook-shaped end portion providing a rearwardly opening and transversely extending slot spaced above said foot member to receive and support the neck of the cast cutter with which used, a portion of said hook-shaped end portion extending substantially horizontal in a position to overlie the neck of the cast cutter so that upward movement of the cast cutter is effective to draw said attachment upwardly therewith, means adjacent the opposite end of said second member from said hook-shaped end portion pivotally and adjustably attaching said second member to said first member for selectively varying the distance between said hook-shaped end portion and said foot member, cutting blade means supported at an angle by said first member and substantially in alignment with said cutter disc for cutting gauze and the like from the cast, and a handle attached to said first member for the user to grasp with one hand while grasping the cast cutter with the other hand to move the cast cutter and said attachment along together in the cutting of the cast.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,737,552 12/1929 Alt-man et a1. 30-167 2,352,432 6/1944 Harrington 30-167 X 2,399,677 5/1946 Hood et a1. 30167 X 2,522,006 9/1950 Wilcox 30263 X 2,617,186 11/1952 Pickles 30276 X 2,876,810 3/1959 Peterson et a1.

JAMES L. JONES, IR., Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A CAST CUTTER OF THE TYPE HAVING A VIBRATING CUTTER DISC MOUNTED ADJACENT A REDUCED NECK PORTION OF THE CAST CUTTER, SAID ATTACHMENT COMPRISING AN ELONGATED HORIZONTAL FOOT MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE AND A LOWER SURFACE, SAID FOOT MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED BETWEEN THE CAST TO BE CUT AND THE PATIENT''S SKIN ADJACENT THE CAST TO BE CUT WITH SAID UPPER SURFACE ADJACENT THE CAST AND SAID LOWER SURFACE ADJACENT THE SKIN, AND SUPPORTING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID ELONGATED FOOT MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING SAID CAST CUTTER WITH THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID CUTTER DISC ADJACENT SAID FOOT MEMBER IN POSITION TO CUT THE CAST AND WITH SAID FOOT MEMBER BEING BETWEEN SAID CUTTER DISC AND THE PATIENT''S SKIN TO PREVENT INJURY THERETO BY SAID CUTTER DISC, SAID FOOT MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING GROOVE IN THE UPPER SURFACE THEREOF ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE LOWER EDGE OF THE CUTTER DISC, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER END AND A LOWER END, AND A SECOND MEMBER, SAID FIRST MEMBER BEING FIXEDLY ATTACHED ADJACENT THE LOWER END THEREOF TO SAID FOOT MEMBER AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID SECOND MEMBER INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY HOOK-SHAPED END PORTION PROVIDING A REARWARDLY OPENING AND TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING SLOT SPACED ABOVE SAID FOOT MEMBER TO RECEIVE AND SUPPORT THE NECK OF THE CAST CUTTER WITH WHICH USED, A PORTION OF SAID HOOK-SHAPED END PORTION EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY IN A POSITION TO OVERLIE THE NECK OF THE CAST CUTTER WITH WHICH USED WHEREBY UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE CAST CUTTER IS EFFECTIVE TO DRAW SAID ATTACHMENT UPWARDLY THEREWITH, AND MEANS ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER FROM SAID HOOK-SHAPED END PORTION PIVOTALLY AND ADJUSTABLY ATTACHING SAID SECOND MEMBER TO SAID FIRST MEMBER FOR SELECTIVELY VARYING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID HOOK-SHAPED END PORTION AND SAID FOOT MEMBER. 